Thursday, September 27, 2007

Under the ownership of Cerberus Capital Management, Chrysler LLC will up the ante on new vehicle spending and growth in international markets, according to Jim Press, Chrysler's new vice chairman.

"We have been given the opportunity to earmark a ton of money for development of advanced products," Press said on a Chrysler blog this morning. "Things that are really necessary to have a strong foundation for the future are being put in place. And one of them is product development of advanced technology."

Press said Chrysler needs to move to take its share of markets outside North America.

"If you look at the global auto market, do you know that we're adding 100,000 cars a day to the planet? And someone else is selling all those vehicles outside the United States, and we ought to get our share, especially if we can get our 10 or 11 percent share here outside," he said.

In his first week on the job, Press has visited three Chrysler dealerships and plans to visit more. He also will meet with dealers at a new model announcement show in Las Vegas the week of Oct. 9.

9.27.1899Albert Jesse Browning of Ford is born in Ogden, UT9.27.1913The Wagenhals Motor Car Company reorganizes with William Pflum as President, W. G. Wagenhals as Vice President and Treasurer, and Hughes C. Turner as Secretary9.27.1942Louis Schneider, winner of the 1931 Indianapolis 500, dies at age 439.27.1957Racer Pierre Petit is born in France9.27.1972Mack Trucks, Inc. contributes $1 million to establish the American Truck Museum and Library in Allentown, PA

James FraneyAutomotive News September 25, 2007 -- 16:57 CETChrysler LLC has named John Stech CEO of its Russian operations.

Stech is currently the CEO of DaimlerChrysler Egypt. He starts his new role on November 1.

He will be responsible for all sales, marketing, aftersales and finance activities in Russia. He reports directly to Jon Holcomb, director for the Chrysler’s Africa, Asia, Middle East and central/eastern European division.

Stech joined Chrysler in 1996 and has held a number of senior management positions both in the US and Europe.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and German from Bucknell University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire.

David BarkholzAutomotive NewsSeptember 26, 2007 - 6:34 am EST DETROIT -- UAW President Ron Gettelfinger says the union’s new agreement with General Motors improves the carmaker’s North American competitiveness while guaranteeing jobs and the future of retiree health care.

The agreement, reached 40 hours after the UAW called its first national strike in 37 years, promises GM investment products for U.S. plants.

Gettelfinger early this morning said provisions in the agreement “would stem the flow of jobs” from GM’s U.S. factories.

Though he wouldn’t be specific, employees at GM assembly plants in Lordstown, Ohio; Spring Hill, Tenn.; and Kansas City, Kan., have been relying on Gettelfinger as part of the negotiations to secure new vehicles to replace vehicles they are losing or have lost.

That was a key sticking point in unrelenting negotiations that have been going with only nightly breaks since the current four-year contract expired at day’s end on Sept. 14.

In return, GM gets concessions aimed at closing what the Detroit 3 say is a $20-$30 per hour labor gap with their Japanese competitors in North America.

A new health care trust that moves GM’s $50 billion in retiree health care liabilities off GM’s books gets the carmaker about half way to that goal, industry analysts have said.

Gettelfinger says a new Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association will be funded by GM in such a manner that he can guarantee its solvency for at least 80 years.

Other provisions in the agreement will shave additional costs from car production to help GM compete, Gettelfinger said.

The agreement includes a signing bonus and a provision that would allow temporary employees to be made permanent starting at their current wage of $18 per hour, said a source briefed on the details. Veteran production workers earn about $28 per hour.

The conversion of those temporary workers to permanent at the lower wage institutes what is known as a tier-two wage structure. The UAW traditionally has balked at allowing the auto companies to pay different wages to union workers in the same plant.

The source said GM also plans to offer another early-retirement and buyout to workers. It won't be on the scale, however, of a buyout that saw nearly 35,000 take the package about a year ago.

Along with the signing bonus, the agreement calls for a wage increase of 3 percent in the second year, 4 percent in the second year and 3 percent in the third, the source said.

The agreement must still be ratified by about 73,000 UAW-represented workers at GM in the coming days.

UAW Local 652 President Tiny Sherwood said job guarantees were the most important issue to the members he represents at GM's Grand River plant in Lansing. The plant makes Cadillac sedans and the SRX crossover vehicle.

"Without the jobs, what good are the benefits," he said.

Sherwood has watched over the years as hourly employment at the operation has fallen from 14,000 in 1985 to less than 3.000 today.

He said that without job guarantees and new investment, it was unlikely that his members would have ratified the agreement. "This is something we can really sell," he said.

The UAW must now choose between Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC as the next target of negotiations.

9.26.1910William C. Durant loses control of General Motors9.26.1930Philippe Etancelin, driving a Bugatti Type 35C, wins the French Grand Prix at Pau9.26.1949Robert A. Weinhardt, a design engineer with Ford, Packard, Kaiser-Frazer, and Willys who had helped design the first demountable disc wheels and shock absorbers, dies at age 669.26.1955Yrjo “George” Leiviska, an employee of Buick, Cadillac, and GMC in the 1930’s prior to a government service career in his native Finland, dies9.26.1962The 1963 Chryslers are introduced

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

2008 CHRYSLER

Model

Est. Lead Time in Weeks

Key Production Holds or Lead Times

300 Series

8

Sirius(R) BackSeat TV (RSV) is on hold until 10/08/07.Clearwater Blue Pearl Coat (PBG) is on hold until 10/08/07.6.1-Liter SRT HEMI(R) SMPI V8 Engine (ESF) is on hold until 10/05/07.Sirius(R) BackSeat TV (RSV) is on hold until 10/08/07.

Pacifica

10

Deep Crimson Crystal Pearl Coat (PHF) is on hold until 10/22/07.

PT Cruiser

8 - 10

Melbourne Green Pearl Coat (PPL) is on hold until 02/04/08.

Town & Country

10

AM/FM CD MP3 Nav Radio (RER) is on hold until further notice.2nd Row Swiveling Bkts w/Boosters (CY4) is on hold until 10/15/07.

2008 DODGE

Model

Est. Lead Time in Weeks

Key Production Holds or Lead Times

Avenger

6 - 8

None.

Caliber

6 - 8

Seats w/Color-Keyed Insert (V8) with Blue Seat Insert (CXP) is on hold until 09/28/07.Sport Appearance Interior Group (AJU) with Blue Seat Insert (CXP) is on hold until 09/28/07.Supplemental Front Seat Side Air Bags (CJ1) is on hold until 10/01/07.

Charger

6 - 8

Sirius(R) BackSeat TV (RSV) is on hold until 10/08/07.High Intensity Discharge Headlamps (LMP) on the RT LXDP48 are on hold until 11/01/07.High Intensity Discharge Headlamps (LMP) on the SRT-8 LXDX48 are on hold until 11/01/07.6.1-Liter SRT HEMI(R) SMPI V8 Engine (ESF) is on hold until 10/05/07.Police Group (AHB) is on hold until 10/10/07.

Dakota

6 - 8

Soundbox Group (ATR) is on hold until further notice.

Grand Caravan

10

Cargo Van Group (AVM) is on hold until 10/22/07.AM/FM CD/DVD Full Scrn Nav Radio w/20GB (RER) is on hold until further notice.Cargo Compartment Floor Mat (CKL) is on hold until 11/19/07.Exterior Vinyl Window Shading (XGL) is on hold until 11/19/07.Full Width Cargo Divider (CWC) is on hold until 11/19/07.Half Width Cargo Divider (CWG) is on hold until 11/19/07.Solid Window Inserts (XGC) is on hold until 11/19/07.Wall Liner - Carpeted (CMP) is on hold until 11/19/07.Wall Liner - Molded (CMF) is on hold until 11/19/07.Wire Mesh Window Inserts (XGE) is on hold until 11/19/07.17.0 x 6.5 Aluminum Wheels (WFX) is on hold until further notice.Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat (PV6) is on hold until 11/19/07.2nd-Row Swiveling Bucket Seats with Chil (CY4) is on hold until 10/15/07.

Magnum

8

Sirius(R) BackSeat TV (RSV) is on hold until 10/08/07.6.1-Liter SRT HEMI(R) SMPI V8 Engine (ESF) is on hold until 10/05/07.Sirius Satellite Streaming Video (RSV) is on hold until 10/08/07.Police Group (AHB) is on hold until 10/10/07.

Sprinter 2500

16

None.Lead time is for passener vans..

Sprinter 3500

20

None.

2008 JEEP

Model

Est. Lead Time in Weeks

Key Production Holds or Lead Times

Commander

6 - 8

SIRIUS(R) Backseat TV (RSV) is on hold until 10/01/07.

Compass

6 - 8

Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Air (CJ1) is on hold until 10/01/07.

Grand Cherokee

6 - 8

Sirius(R) BackSeat TV (RSV) is on hold until 10/01/07.

Liberty

8 - 10

Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers (JHC) is on hold until 01/14/08.

Patriot

6 - 8

Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Air (CJ1) is on hold until 10/01/07.

Filed under: Miscellaneous, ChryslerChrysler is offering a special discount program to NBB members in the United States who purchase or lease a new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge product -- with special emphasis on the company's new diesel passenger vehicles -- Dodge Ram heavy duty pickup and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV (pictured).

"When our diesel products are run on clean, renewable biodiesel, the environmental benefits are even greater -- at the same time we are reducing our dependence on petroleum and supporting America's farm economy."

Information on the discount purchase/lease program is available to NBB members on the organization's Members Only web site at www.members.biodiesel.org.

"We are very pleased to see the level of commitment that Chrysler has put into supporting the use of biodiesel," said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. "Chrysler's incentive program is an attractive benefit for our NBB members, and a great opportunity to buy a new vehicle from a company that is working hard to provide consumers with more 'green vehicle' options running on renewable fuel."

Chrysler and NBB have partnered on several initiatives to promote use diesel and biodiesel as alternatives to gasoline.

Most importantly, the two are working together for a new national fuel standard for B20, a fuel composed of 80 percent conventional diesel and 20 percent biodiesel. A standard is anticipated in the next several months. The existing standard affects pure biodiesel (B100).

"A B20 standard will enable us to support the use of B20 in all diesel vehicles -- from passenger cars to the largest city buses and semi-tractor-trailers -- further encouraging use of this clean, renewable, American-made fuel," Morrissett said.

Chrysler has already approved use of B5 (5 percent biodiesel fuel) in its diesel vehicles, and the Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram pickups are delivered to customers running on the renewable fuel, Morrissett noted. And the company has approved use of B20 by its fleet customers who follow specifications for fuel quality.

Increased use of renewable fuels, including biodiesel, is needed if Americans are to achieve ambitious goals for greater energy security, less dependence on oil and a cleaner environment, Morrissett said.

For example, a Dodge Ram diesel pickup or Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV running on B20 fuel would use nearly 40 percent less petroleum over its lifetime compared with a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle.

"Like NBB, we believe that biodiesel has an important role to play in America's energy future," Morrissett said. "We look forward to continuing our work with NBB and its members on this important national priority."

For information on the National Biodiesel Board, contact Jennifer Weaver at 734-904-3822 or jweaver@asgren.com

9.25.1891Max G. Paulus of the Standard Oil Company of Indiana is born in Baltimore, MD9.25.1924Malcolm Campbell, driving a Sunbeam at Pendine Sands, Wales, raises the land speed record to 146.157 mph - this was the first of nine times that he would raise the record9.25.1939Racer Neville Lederle is born in Theunissen, South Africa9.25.1962General Motors announces a two-year, 24,000-mile blanket warranty on all of its 1963 cars and trucks9.25.1965The 1966 Ford Thunderbirds are introduced

Monday, September 24, 2007

This Day in Auto History:

9.23.1915William C. Durant incorporates the Chevrolet Motor Company of Delaware as a holding company with the eventual goal of allowing the new firm to purchase a controlling interest in General Motors 9.23.1931Willis Joseph Price of the Chevron Corporation is born in Louisville, KY9.23.1940The American Bantam Car Company completes the first Jeep prototype and delivers it to United States government testers at Camp Holabird, MD9.23.1956Frank W. Szanto of the Continental Motors Corporation dies at age 299.23.1969The 1970 Dodges are introduced

Consider the car market as an amusement park. Every vehicle has an analogous ride, from the Tilt-A-Whirl Lotus Elise to the Jungle Cruise Ford Taurus. The Dodge Viper and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, then, can feel a bit like driving the Raptor. It’s an experience not unlike doing motorcycle wheelies on a freeway. In short, driving hard in a car with 500-plus horsepower is not for the fainthearted. The appeal is an addictive mixture of scaring yourself within inches of your life and laughing at how easily you can get away with it. Both the Viper and the Vette have this characteristic in spades.

The last time these two cars met [“Motor City Bullies,” December 2005], the Z06 beat the Viper handily on the road, track, and drag strip. Since then, the 505-hp Z06 hasn’t changed much, aside from revised rear shocks, although the price has crept skyward. The 2007 Z06 seen here starts at $70,000, but options such as heated seats, a premium stereo, extra sound insulation, chrome wheels, and navigation bring the as-tested total to $77,230.

The Viper SRT10, on the other hand, has received a thorough makeover for 2008 in both coupe and roadster form.

The only visual change is a new hood with functional vented gills, and this achieves the seemingly improbable feat of making the Viper look even more aggressive. The V-10 engine has been bored out an extra 0.6 millimeter to increase the displacement to 8.4 liters. It also gets variable valve timing [see Tech Highlight], new cylinder heads, a new intake, electronic throttle control, hollow intake valves, coil-on-plug ignition, a 10.2:1 compression ratio (up from 9.6), and a larger oil pump with a swinging oil pickup. The result is 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque, improvements of 90 horses and 25 pound-feet. At 2500 rpm, the Viper makes more torque than the Z06 does at its peak.

The Viper’s cabin remains unchanged but is much cooler now that the exhaust flows straight to each side pipe instead of crossing under the passenger compartment.

The Tremec T56 six-speed manual gearbox gets a revised shift linkage, triple-cone synchros, and a twin-disc clutch that has 18-percent-less rotational inertia than the previous single-disc setup. At the rear there’s a new speed-sensing limited-slip differential. On the suspension front, the Viper gets new Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires set up with more negative camber, new shocks, higher spring rates, and a solid rear anti-roll bar replacing the previous hollow one.

The good news is that these changes come cheap. The Viper’s base price of $86,845 is $150 less than that of the Viper in our last test, thanks in part to a lower gas-guzzler tax. And even at the as-tested price of $91,145, the Viper is the most affordable 600-hp car on the market.

For this evaluation, we performed our standard battery of performance tests and some real-world driving, and then we drove to Grattan Raceway Park to see how each car would handle the bumpy 2.0-mile road course. As it turns out, all the changes to the new Viper aren’t enough to better the Corvette, but the Z06’s claim to the title of America’s top sports car is looking a bit tenuous. Read on for a full explanation.

Despite the myriad improvements, creature comfort has never been high on the Viper’s list of qualities, and the usual list of complaints still applies. Getting in and out is a gymnastic exercise of hurdling the door sill and ducking under the low roof. The Viper has no cruise control, cup holders, traction control, or stability control. The center stack of the dashboard is surrounded with cheap plastic—colored inserts are still optional. The deep buckets, however, make the most of the cramped interior, and the pedals are adjustable. Once you’re in the Viper and moving, it’s actually pretty comfortable.

But enough complaining. If you’re going to file a lawsuit over a few minor leg burns from the exhaust or whine about the heavy clutch, Dodge has an all-new Grand Caravan you might like. Stick with the Viper, and you can fly from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. It’s a 10th or two quicker than the Z06 all the way to 100 mph, but by 150, the Viper has a half-second lead. It’s also more than two seconds quicker to 150 than was the previous Viper. Vette and Viper are pretty much even (and impressive) in roadholding, lane change, and braking distance, but the Viper wins on the track. It’s easier to drive around the road course as well, thanks to great feel from the quick steering and solid brake pedal. The Viper is more benign than you would think. There’s so much rear-end grip that it’s difficult to get a little back-end slide using the gas pedal, although the Viper is harder to manage once it does go sideways. We still prefer the Viper’s mild understeer to the Corvette’s tank-slapping oversteer.

So why the second-place finish? Blame the cruelty of the real world. At lower rpm, the exhaust sounds like a tuba having sex with a vacuum cleaner, and the baritone thrum of engine and road at highway speeds gets annoying in a hurry. The trunk volume of 15 cubic feet seems optimistic—a road trip for two will require soft luggage. In a street or track race, the Viper comes out narrowly ahead, but in real life, the Viper’s claustrophobic cabin and noisemaker mechanicals are too much of a handicap to overcome.

Moving from the Viper into the Corvette is like taking off a pair of glove-tight spandex shorts—it’s not that you weren’t comfortable, but the extra space is appreciated. Everything associated with normal driving is easily accomplished in the Z06: getting in and out, working the clutch, turning the lightly weighted steering wheel, or accessing the 22-cubic-foot cargo hold. We have our standard list of criticisms for the Z06 as well, however, such as the flimsy seats and vague shift lever. The shifter and the steering rack have been revised for the 2008 model year, but we weren’t able to get our hands on one. It’s likely those changes would improve the Corvette’s on-track behavior, where the steering gets a little too light and gearchanges turn into a distraction. Around Grattan, the Z06’s time of 1:27.2 is half a second slower than the Viper’s, and it took more work to keep the Z06 going in a straight line. Take note, letter writers: Lap times were slower than those of the previous comparo because of a damp track.

2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Highs: Iconic V-8 at its best; an everyday driver and long hauler, too; stupendously fast.

Lows: Wobbly seats, frighteningly tail-happy on the track, looks plain next to the Viper.

The Verdict: Slower by a hair, but still the car we’d rather keep in our driveway.

The LS7 V-8 in the Z06 might be down on power compared with the Viper’s V-10, but it revs more freely to its 7000-rpm redline. The Vette’s power comes on more explosively as well, which is handy for sliding sideways through corners but nerve-racking on a conventional hot lap. Sure, the Chevy is a bigger handful than the Viper on the track, and slightly slower in a straight line, but the Z06 is no slouch. Its 0-to-60 time of 3.7 seconds is only bested by ultra-expensive exotics and, of course, the Dodge Viper. But the fact is that the Corvette Z06 does not hurt for speed or comfort, and its exhaust note is one of the best in the business. If we had to choose between the Viper and the Z06 for a modern-day Cannonball, the Chevy is the easy choice. Plus, the Vette is almost $14,000 cheaper, the price of a Chevy Aveo. Even at 77 grand, the Z06 is one of the best performance bargains going.